Board of Directors
AnaYelsi Velasco Sanchez
She//Her
President
Born in Venezuela, AnaYelsi R. Velasco Sanchez (she/ella) is an IndoLatinx mujerista working to create and agitate her way through the Latin diaspora. She is a highly skilled and compassionate public educator who utilizes her signature Interlocking Justice methodology to catalyze an embodied response in her clients. Interlocking Justice is a holistic, accessible, and sustainable approach to justice and liberation work that AnaYelsi teaches and speaks about nationwide. She empowers individuals and communities with her diverse skill set, which includes education, coaching, consulting, writing, and art. AnaYelsi is the founder of the Interlocking Justice Institute and En Conjunto—a collective providing support, community, resources, and collaborative opportunities to People of Color working independently at the intersection of justice and spirituality.
She lives in Washington, D.C. Her website is www.anayelsi.com; you can follow her across social media at @brwneyedamzn and find her on Facebook (/anayelsi18).
Lauren Goodyear
She//Her
Vice-President
Lauren has been part of the Church of the Saviour community since 1990 and a member of Festival Church for nearly 20 years, often leading music. She currently teaches 4th grade at St. Albans School and has held various educational roles, including high school English teacher, college counselor, and community service coordinator. Lauren co-wrote Jerry Parr’s memoir, “In the Secret Service,” and a travel guide to Australia. She has also served on advisory boards and preschool boards, focusing on arts education and personnel support. Lauren holds a B.A. in English from Yale University. She and her spouse, J.B. Schramm, have three children.
Gail Arnall
She//Her
Secretary
Gail came to Washington, DC, in 1974 and joined the Church of the Saviour. She worked at the FCC, NPR, and PBS before founding Phoebus Communications in 1985, where she managed educational consortia funded by multi-million dollar grants. In 2005, she became Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration in Arlington, helping former inmates for ten years. Though she attempted to retire three times, Gail continued fundraising, managed the Potter’s House, and consulted for HER Resiliency Center. She served on The Family Place and Jubilee JumpStart boards, joined the Festival Center Board in 2015, rejoined in 2020, and co-chairs the Capital Campaign. Gail holds a BA from Baylor University, and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois – Urbana. Her twin sister and brother live in Phoenix, AZ.
David Garcia
He//Him
Treasurer
David Garcia is the Managing Partner of Clarkstone Solutions. At his current role, David is responsible for providing strategic advisory services to healthcare providers focusing on health information technology. David is also the Managing Partner for DG Partners, a real estate group that provides real estate services to clients in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
Prior to Clarkstone Solutions and DG Partners, David worked as a healthcare consultant at PwC. David started his career as a consultant at Cerner Corporation, a leading U.S. supplier of healthcare information technology solutions.
David received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
Edmund Cooke
He//Him
Edmund D. Cooke, Jr. specializes in labor and employment law, focusing on Diversity Compliance, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Affirmative Action. He has served as Counsel to U.S. House committees, worked with the National Labor Relations Board, and held leadership roles at the U.S. EEOC. Currently practicing at Cooke Chevalier PLLC, he has been involved in significant cases, including overseeing Coca-Cola’s compliance with a race discrimination consent decree. Mr. Cooke holds degrees from Kent State University, the University of Michigan Law School, and Johns Hopkins University, and is a former U.S. Air Force Captain.
Steve Cox
He//Him
Steve brings 42 years of experience in international development, philanthropy, human rights, environmental management, and higher education to his current volunteer work with public interest organizations and political campaigns. Before retiring in 2018, he served as Vice President for Programs and Managing Director for Networks and Strategic Initiatives at the Inter-American Foundation, and previously held leadership roles with the Ford Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute, INCAE, and Fundación Acceso, which he founded in Costa Rica. Steve has consulted for the World Bank, United Nations, and several major NGOs, and has lectured at universities including Columbia, Duke, and Notre Dame. He has served on various non-profit boards and is currently on the board of AsylumWorks and the advisory board of the Kaleidos Center in Ecuador. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Steve has spent half of his career in Latin America and is a proud father of two adult daughters dedicated to public service.
Marcos Lomeli
He//Him
Marcos Lomeli is a program manager and policy advocate dedicated to economic justice and community development. Currently a Project Manager at The Platform of Hope in Washington, DC, he previously served as Program Director at Ceiba, leading public engagement and advocacy initiatives. With experience as a Bilingual Community Liaison at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and a Head Coach at Kensington Soccer Club, Marcos brings a passion for equity, mentorship, and social impact. He holds a degree in Political Science and Government from Temple University and is committed to creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.